Video Resources for the Tango Dancer

Listings, reviews and ratings of videos offering instruction in Argentine tango; including sections on videos about beginning tango, technique and structure, intermediate and advanced tango steps and figures, milonguero-style tango, orillero, canyengue, fantasia, milonga, vals and individual styles.

Introduction
New Listings, Ratings and Reviews
What's Available on DVD
Bridge to the Tango Videos
Index of Instructors
Listings, Reviews and Ratings (for 118 Instructional Videos)
Videos Most Suitable for Beginners
Videos of Intermediate and Advanced Tango Steps and Figures
Videos Offering Comprehensive Programs of Instruction
Videos about Technique
Videos about Structure
Videos about Milonguero-Style Tango
Videos about Orillero-Style Tango
Videos about Canyengue-Style Tango
Videos about Tango Fantasia (Tango for the Stage)
Videos about Milonga
Videos about Vals (Tango Waltz)
Videos Documenting an Individual Style
Other Video Resources

Introduction

In late 2006, more than 180 instructional videos were available, but in a reverse of recent trends, all 72 Bridge to the Tango videos were withdrawn from the market on January 1, 2007.  Many of these are still available and some may be reintroduced on DVD.  For more information, see Bridge to the Tango Videos below.

The large number of DVDs and video tapes suggests that many people find such videos helpful in learning Argentine tango.  If you are fortunate enough to live in an active tango community with regular instruction, videos can offer a different perspective and new ideas.  If you live in an area that is without regular instruction, videos may be the only way to learn Argentine Tango.

For a number of years, I have been watching, reviewing and rating videos that offer instruction in Argentine tango.  I started these reviews by getting my hands on the 22 videos that I knew existed at the time—buying some and borrowing others.  In my naivete and inexperience in dancing tango, I found it relatively easy to rate the videos by a simple criterion; could I learn something useful from them?

As the number of videos grew and my experience with Argentine tango expanded to include a number of years teaching, I moved on to other subjective criteria such as the quality of the dancing (including the form and musicality of the movement), the quality of the video production, the clarity of the instruction, and the usefulness of the material for social dancing (or other stated purpose).  For videos intended for advanced dancers, I also look for originality, which puts an ever increasing burden on the newer videos offering advanced material.  Always at the forefront of my mind is a variation of my original question: Can the viewer learn something useful from the video?

People who know me, my dancing, my tango friends and my tango mentors are likely to know the inherent biases that I have in rating instructional videos even better than I do.  I dance social Argentine tango improvisationally.  Moreover, I consider improvistation a basic skill rather than an advanced skill.  Only a few of the videos offer instruction that is designed to develop improvisational skills.  Most notable are those by Christy Coté and George Garcia, Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio, and Daniel Trenner.  A few other videos offer instruction in structure and technique.

Nearly all of the available instructional videos could convey the impression that Argentine tango is a collection of frozen step patterns, including those videos that provide instruction in milonguero-style tango.  Although, I do not consider learning rote patterns to be a foundation for dancing, learning such patterns can provide knowledge that is useful for dancing.  One can look at the best of these videos as being of similar instructional value as a jazz musician listening to and copying the solos of great jazz musicians.  Consequently, I accept these videos for what they are rather than what they are not.

Although the Osvaldo Zotto/Mora Godoy videos can convey the impression that Argentine tango is a collection of frozen step patterns, they remain a standard by which to judge the quality of other videos.  I consider Osvaldo Zotto to be one of the great dancers of his generation.  In addition, the Zotto/Godoy five-video series is a model of production values and clarity in instruction.

To date, I have identified more than 100 instructional videos about Argentine tango that are readily available for purchase in the United States. (Although I make every attempt to keep abreast of the growing number of instructional videos for Argentine Tango, there may be more.  Please excuse any omissions, and let me know if you discover any additional instructional video tapes or DVDs that are available.)  For tango videos, readily available is relative. It means someone will sell the tape to you via mail order without having previously taught you the material.

Caveat Emptor:  A number of videos sold as Argentine Tango offer instruction in ballroom Tango or a mixture of ballroom and Argentine Tango.  I include several such videos in the reviews, but I make no attempt to provide comprehensive coverage of such videos.

New Listings, Ratings and Reviews

The most recent additions to the listings are as follows:

Added 19 December 2007
Agustina Videla and Claudio Asprea — Tango from the Heart (DVD only)

Added 16 July 2007
Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy — Tango Lessons with the World's Champions (DVD only)
Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn — Let's Dance Together (DVD only)

Added 9 July 2007
Carlos "El Tordo" and Liliana Tolomei — Tango Argentino de Salón (DVD only)

Added 2 April 2007
Marcelo Solís — Moving Circular
 

The most recent additions to the ratings and reviews are as follows:

Added 29 May 2006
Christy Coté and George Garcia — The Art of Improvisation
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Boleos
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Sacadas
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Volcadas
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Colgadas
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Vals, vol. 2
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Milonga, vol. 2
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Fantasia Tango
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Ganchos & Enganches

Added 17 May 2006
Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut Rumbaum — Vals
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Tango in Carpa with Volcadas

What's Available on DVD

Pepito Avellaneda — Asi Se Baila Milonga (3 DVDs)
Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa — Tango Basics and Secrets
Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa — Giros
Mauricio Castro — Tango Dance Training (3 DVDs)
Juan Carlos Copes with Johana Copes — Tango and Milonga
Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango, Milonga and Vals (20 DVDs)
Dolores De Amo and Daniel Lapadula — Tango Estilo del Centro (2 DVDs)
Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy — Tango Lessons with the World's Champions
Carlos Gavito with Marcela Duran — Un Tal Gavito (3 DVDs)
Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia — Tango Salon
Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia — Advanced Tango Figures and Sequences (2 DVDs)
Carlos "El Tordo" and Liliana Tolomei — Tango Argentino de Salón
Lampazo — Lampazo at Stanford
Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn — Let's Dance Together
Nito and Elba — Workshops 1993
Nito and Elba — Workshops 1995
Nito and Elba — Teach Tango at Stanford - 1996
Nito and Elba — 1997 U.S. Tour
Nito and Elba — Teach Argentine Tango 1999
Orlando Paiva — Orlando Paiva & Susana Teach Argentine Tango
Orlando Paiva — Argentine Tango Elegant; Volume I, Basic
Orlando Paiva — Argentine Tango Elegant; Volume II, Intermediate
Pocho Pizzarro — His Dancing, His Life and the History of Tango
Ricardo and Nicole — Curso de Tango (2 DVDs)
Ricardo and Nicole — Milonga
Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut Rumbaum — Vals
Fabián Salas — The Tango Fundamentals (3 DVDs)
Emile Sansour — InTango
Marcelo Solís — Tango Argentino
Marcelo Solís — Moving Circular
Omar Vega — Milonga con Traspie
Agustina Videla and Claudio Asprea — Tango from the Heart
Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further (4 DVDs)
Osvaldo Zotto and Mora Godoy — Asi Se Baila El Tango, vol 1-3 (1 DVD)

Bridge to the Tango Videos

An era came to an end on January 1, 2007 when all Bridge to the Tango instructional videos were withdrawn from the market.  Between 1996 and 2001, Daniel Trenner produced 72 instructional videos for his Bridge to the Tango label.  The videos cover his own teaching and dancing, Rebecca Shulman's and that of a number of other masters from the older and younger generations.

Some of the titles may become available in DVD format in the future, but that will involve complex negotiations in Argentina to secure the rights to the video images and the music used in the videos.  Some of videos—including those with Daniel, Rebecca and the earliest recorded in the masters' series—will never be available again because the original video production was not suitable for conversion to DVD.

The Tango Catalogue closed out its Bridge to the Tango catalog on December 31, 2006.  It expects to carry any of the titles that become available on DVD.   For more information about potential DVD releases, contact The Tango Catalogue.

For more information about the Bridge to the Tango catalog, see Daniel Trenner's webpage.
For a complete overview of the Bridge to the Tango titles, see Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Individual Bridge to the Tango Titles:

Daniel Trenner and Rebecca Shulman

Masters of the Older Generation:
Pepito and Suzuki Avellaneda, Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly Argañaraz, Raul Bravo, Juan Bruno, Puppy Castello, Maria and Rudolfo Cieri, Manolo and Coca, Tommy O'Connell, Petaca, Pocho Pizarro and Stella Barba, Puente al Tango, Mingo and Esther Pugliese, Victor Romero and Norma Galla, Tete and Silvia

Masters of the New Generation:
Olga Besio, Eduardo Cappussi and Mariana Flores, Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski, Norberto Esbrez "El Pulpo", Zoraida Fontclara and Diego Alvaro, Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli, Jose Garofolo, Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo, Pablo Inza and Veronica Alvarenja, Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio, Puente al Tango, Pablo Pugliese, Elina Roldan and Julio Mendez, Florencia Taccetti, Daniel Trenner and Rebecca Shulman, Luciana Valle and Gabriel Guerberoff, Omar Vega, Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida

Listings, Reviews and Ratings

Rating System:
 

	Not Recommended for Purchase
	Fair
	Good
	Very Good
	Most Excellent
	Truly Outstanding
	Not Yet Rated (principally new videos)

Martha Anton and Luis Grodona are well known for dancing Canyengue, a form of Argentine tango that was popular during the 1920s and early 30s that may or may not be accurately captured by its current and recent practioners.  From his memories of his parents' generation of dancers, Luis has recreated his vision of the style.  The embrace is close and in an offset V; the dancers typically have bent knees as they move; and the woman does not execute a cross.  The steps are short and frequently executed in the stacatto rhythm that is characteristic of the tango music played by the old guard.  Although Grodona's Canyengue uses somewhat different figures than that of Ruben Terbalca or the late Rodolfo Cieri (who are also known for the style), it corresponds quite well to the dancing of other older tango dancers from outlying districts and cities who learned tango as children.

Martha Anton and Luis Grodona — Asi Se Baila Canyengue I & II (2 video tapes)
Produced by Solo Tango, this outstanding two-video series well captures the Canyengue of Martha Anton and Luis Grodona.  The first video covers the embrace, a basic step called "el horqueta," and 11 other step patterns. The second video offers nine more advanced step patterns.  All of the patterns are taught as elements to be added to the horqueta.  Instruction is clear and concise, covering the step patterns, the footwork, and the lead and the follow.  Instruction is primarily provided in Spanish with English subtitles, supplemented by voice over in English.   The leading that comes from leg flexion is not explained and occasionally aspects of the instruction depart from the demonstration dances.  Martha and Luis exhibit strong rhyhtmic drive and great musicality in their numerous exhibition dances.  The video would be most useful for those who want a look at tango's history.  A few of the step patterns could be adapted to milonguero-style tango.  Available from The Tango Catalogue.

Pepito and Suzuki Avellaneda.  The late Pepito Avellaneda was a well-regarded milonguero who had many students.  He was particularly well-known for his style of dancing milonga.  Suzuki Avellaneda is Pepito's widow and long-time dance partner.  She continues to teach Pepito's style.

Pepito Avellaneda — Asi Se Baila Milonga (3 videos or DVDs)
From Solo Tango, this well produced video series captures much of the the milonga of Pepito Avellaneda.  The first volume is a wonderful homage to Pepito, containing archival footage of the maestro's dancing and interviews of Pepito and some of his many friends.  Volumes 2 and 3 are instructional, with volume 2 providing coverage of beginning and intermediate step patterns in Pepito's style and volume 3 providing coverage of advanced steps in his style.  After opening with Pepito's advice on posture, the embrace, and the salida, volume 2 covers 10 step patterns that quickly proceed from some basics to more challenging material.  For most patterns, Pepito demonstrates the figures with Dolores De Amo or Suzuki and carefully explains the movements in Spanish with English subtitles.  That is followed with details of the man's steps, the woman's steps, the man's footwork, and then woman's footwork as descibed by voice over and variously shown by Pepito, Dolores, Suzuki, Fernando Soleau or Mariana Bonavente.  To round out the instruction for each step pattern, voice over provides a brief description of the lead as demonstrated by Pepito, Pepito gives some advice on learning or using the step pattern, and then he dances a fairly lengthy demonstration with Dolores and Suzuki usually only the step patterns taught to the point.  Volume 3 continues in the same format to provide coverage of 10 additional step patterns, most of which contain double-time elements.  In both videos, the material is interesting, instruction is clear and well paced, and many of the demonstration dances will have viewers wanting to get up and dance milonga with Pepito.  Although the instructional videos start with the basics, they are probably best suited to those who have at least some knowledge of milonga.  Available from The Tango Catalogue.
 

Also see Suzuki Avellaneda (with Pablo Nievas) — The Advanced Milonga of Pepito Avelleneda on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa are well-regarded instructors from Buenos Aires who tour frequently to teach.  Julio took his first lessons from his father (Miguel Balmaceda), and during many years he had accompanied and assisted his father in tango practices.  After his father's death in 1991, Julio was in charge of his father's classes in Salón Canning.  He is well known worldwide as well as in Argentina for his naturalness, quality of movement and musicality.  In 1993 together with Omar Viola he opened the Parakultural.  Corina has taught dance since she was 17.  She studied theater for five years with the directors Agustín Alezzo and Augusto Fernández.  She graduated as scenographer from the Art School of the Salvador University.  She has applied all this knowledge to tango by developing an approach where the essence of tango essence and its structural analysis are joined together.  Her classes consist of making, creating and learning tango movements based on the equality of the woman and man in the dance.

Julio Balmaceda and Corina de las Rosa — Tango Basics and Secrets  (DVD only)
The first DVD, in what is planned as a series, covers a variety of techniques, movements and basic step patterns in Argentine tango.  Julio and Corina teach the use of contra-body motion, the embrace, the eight-count basic, crossed basic, a walking sequence, forward ochos, backward ochos and some turns.  In keeping with their teaching philosophy, Julio and Corina emphasize the fundamentals of individual movements as well as the techniques and qualities necessary to dance in a salon.  The DVD opens and closes with exhibition dances.  Julio and Corina frequently travel with copies of the 70 minute DVD to sell.  The DVD is also available from ArgentinaTango.com and TangoBuy.  For more information, see Julio and Corina's webpage.

Julio Balmaceda and Corina de las Rosa — Giros  (DVD only)
The second DVD, in what is planned as an expanding series, covers turns in Argentine tango.  In keeping with their teaching philosophy, Julio and Corina emphasize the fundamentals of individual movements as well as the technique and qualities necessary to dance in a salon.  Julio and Corina frequently travel with copies of the DVD to sell.  The DVD is also available from TangoBuy.  For more information, see Julio and Corina's webpage.

Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly Argañaraz ran a well-regarded practice session at Salon Canning in the mid to late 1980s.

See Miguel and Nelly — Homage to Miguel and Nelly on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.
 
 

Olga Besio danced and taught with Gustavo Naveira for many years.  Together, they were regarded as among tango's more innovative professors and dancers.  Olga specializes in teaching adornment.  (Also see Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio below.)

See Olga Besio (with Daniel Trenner) — The Art and Technique of Adornment on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Paul and Elaine Bottomer seem admirable in their willingness to swim upstream against the British ballroom dance establishment and abandon the strictures of ballroom tango for Tango Argentino, where the parameters of acceptability are socially defined, and no single technique reigns.  Having danced in a number of competitions sponsored by the International Dance Organization (Switzerland), Paul and Elaine Bottomer claim to be European and world champions of Tango Argentino, but the graceless and inauthentic dance technique demonstrated on their one available video suggests very weak competition.  Certainly authenticity was not required to win the competitions.

Paul and Elaine Bottomer — Tango Argentino
Emile Sansour once suggested that British Tango compares to the Argentine Tango about the same way that British beef compares to Argentine beef.  In this video, British couple Paul and Elaine Bottomer do nothing to dispel the notion that the British Tango scene could be in the grip of mad-cow disease.  In the book that accompanies this video, Paul Bottomer writes, "There is now an opportunity for the Dancing Profession to guarantee the integrity and character of the real Tango with its nostalgia and mystery, its drama and passion, the Tango Argentino."  Unfortunately neither the video, nor the accompanying book and CD have captured authentic Argentine Tango.  The video and the book offer instruction that combines ballroom and fantasia elements with salon-style Argentine Tango.  Students with a sufficient knowledge of Tango to recognize the differences will find little to learn in this mercifully short video.  The music on the CD lacks the cry of a bandoneon and is not particularly suitable for dancing.  Available from Bill Rowe’s Ballroom Dance Supply.

Raul Bravo had a career as an exhibition tango dancer in the 1960s which included touring with the Mariano Mores orchestra.  During that period, he also owned and operated a tango school with the late Antonio Todaro, who became the well-known instructor of many of today’s stars.

See Raul Bravo — Intermediate/Advanced Turning Figures on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Juan Bruno is a master of orillero-style tango who is known for his unique and playful form of dancing.

See Juan Bruno — The Kid from Ciudadela on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Eduardo Cappussi and Mariana Flores.  Eduardo Cappussi "El Brujo" is known for his colorful and dramatic fantasia dancing.

See Eduardo Cappussi and Mariana Flores — The Tango of El Brujo on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Puppy Castello was known as one of tango's most colorful characters, but his dancing is characterized by great balance and graceful slow movement.

See Puppy Castello (with Luciana Valle) — The Tango of Puppy Castello on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Mauricio Castro is the founder of Tango Discovery and teacher of Argentine Tango.  He created and developed a personal style of dancing and system of teaching tango in Buenos Aires and, through Tango Discovery, has taken it to the rest of the world.

Mauricio Castro — Tango Dance Training (Three DVDs only)
Each DVD in this series is more than an hour in duration and presents elements of the Tango Discovery system including tango awareness, structure, improvisation, step sequences as an application of structure, deleted scenes and extras.  Available from Tango Discovery.

Maria and Rudolfo Cieri were among the influential couples in the rapid expansion of salon-style tango in the 1980s and 1990s.  Maria and the late Rudulfo were known for incredibly fast and precise footwork, style, and the musicality of their dancing.  They were also known for their canyengue-style dancing, which is not captured on any widely distributed videos.

See Maria and Rudolfo Cieri — The Tango of Maria and Rudolfo Cieri on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Carlos Copello and Alicia Monti are elegant, expressive and personable dancers who are quite at home in front of the camera.  They appeared in both Tango: The Obsession and the Tango Lesson.  They were also featured in one of the many productions of Forever Tango.

Carlos Copello and Alicia Monti — How to Tango (4 tape set)
In this very well-produced set of videos, Carlos and Alicia offer detailed instruction rather than the extensive coverage of steps that characterize most instructional videos.  The instruction starts with the basic (with and without an initial back step) and progresses through 12 figures in the first two videos.  The third and fourth videos together offer seven sophisticated combinations.  Instruction covers the details of each figure and pattern including lead and follow.  Carlos and Alicia also explain and demonstrate improvisation, but offer no direct instruction in improvisational skills.  Some viewers may be disappointed by the slow pace of instruction and with the limited number of figures that are covered in each video.  All would be advised to ignore Carlos' instruction to lead with the right hand.  Fortunately, he ignores his own instruction.  Adam Boucher (director of Tango: The Obsession) directed the four-camera production.  Each tape is just under 60 minutes long.  Available either in Spanish or dubbed English.  A reliable vendor is uncertain.

Juan Carlos Copes is widely regarded as one of the great masters tango fantasia in the latter half of the 20th century.  He had a long partnership with Maria Nieves dancing in shows from the 1950s through the 1980s, including the show Tango Argentino which is widely credited for reviving popular interest in tango as a dance form.  Copes was recently acclaimed as the dancer of the century by the City of Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires Athenaeum.  He also was honored at the American Film Choreography Awards for his choreography in the Carlos Saura movie, Tango.  His daughter Johana is an excellent tango dancer in her own right and appeared in the movie, Tango.

Juan Carlos Copes (with Johana Copes) — Tango and Milonga (video tape or DVD)
In this 45 minute video, maestro Copes is assisted by his daughter Johana in teaching and demonstrating essential elements of his tango and milonga style.  Both Copes and his daughter have a very strong presence on the video, and the way they hold themselves and move with clarity and grace is impressive and instructive.  The well-produced video opens with a demonstration tango and then covers ten steps and figures in a little less than half an hour.  Instruction in tango starts with the basics (including two salidas with the back step) and progresses to an intermediate combination.  Those of who taken workshops from Copes in the past will recognize most of the steps.  For some of the tango steps, Copes and his daughter demonstrate the steps individually before demonstrating them in an embrace.  In doing so, they highlight the quality of balance and movement that is required.  Voice over explains all the tango movements, but the lead, follow and movement technique are not covered in any detail.  After the tango segments, Copes and his daughter dance a milonga and then take less than 15 minutes to cover ten useful intermediate steps and figures in milonga.  Voice over names the milonga step or figure, and Copes and his daughter are shown demonstrating it several times from a variety of angles.  The milonga segments are not instruction, but they are instructive.  The rating is a composite of four stars for the tango segments and three stars for the milonga segments.  Those who are capable of learning simply by watching may want to add a star to the milonga rating and a half star to the overall rating.  The videos are available in Spanish and English in both PAL and NTSC format.  A DVD in NTSC format that includes extensive footage of Copes' performances along with the instructional material is also available under the title Copes Tango Copes.  Purchases of the video or DVD can be made through Zival's Tango Store.

Christy Coté began her career as a ballroom and Latin dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios, and she has danced, choreographed and taught professionally for more than 20 years.  Since 1998, she has danced and taught Argentine Tango becoming one of San Francisco's most well-known dancers and teachers.  Her name appears on the roster of several annual Argentine Tango events such as the Portland Tangofest, the Tango at Sea Cruise and the Las Vegas Tango Weekend for which she is also a co-producer.  George Garcia has danced and taught in Hawaii for more than 20 years, covering ballroom, latin and swing.  In 1997, George attended the first Argentine tango workshop in in Hawaii—taught by Fabian Salas and Michele Baidon—and it instantly changed his life.  Tango became his obsession, and he set about developing Argentine tango in Hawaii..

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango, Milonga and Vals (20 DVDs or video tapes)

Dance Vision has produced a series of 20 videos (available on DVD or video tape) by Christy Coté and George Garcia covering the DVIDA Bronze, Silver and Gold Argentine tango syllabuses, follower's technique, leader's technique, milonguero-style Argentine tango, milonga, vals, tango fantasia, improvisation, volcadas, colgadas, ganchos and enganches, boleos, and sacadas.  All 20 of these DVDs and videos are available from DanceVision.com.  For more information, contact DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — DVIDA Bronze, Silver and Gold Argentine Tango Syllabuses (3 DVDs or video tapes)
In this series of videos, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer comprehensive instruction in salon-style Argentine tango starting from the most basic figures and continuing through advanced figures and patterns.  The videos support a comprehensive syllabus for learning Argentine tango, but stand independently of the certification that could be obtained through the syllabus.  Although Christy and George are careful to explain that Argentine tango is an improvisational dance, the instruction emphasizes learning tango through the mastery of figures rather than improvisational techniques.   The instruction is clear and comprehensive, but production values are average and the videos are not entertaining to watch, as Christy and George move slowly and explain each movement in what some will consider excrutiating detail.  Many viewers will be disappointed that these videos only include exhibition snippets based on the taught elements and no full demonstration dances.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango Follower's Technique (DVD or video tape)
In this nearly two-hour video, Christy Coté is assisted by George Garcia in teaching follower's technique for the basic movements of Argentine tango.  Christy's instruction is animated, clear and comprehensive.  She covers follower's technique in embrace, walking, cuzada, forward and backward ochos, molinetes (giros), boleos, paradas, blocks, sandwiches, pasadas, barridas, ganchos, enganches, sacadas, points, planeos, calecita, carpa, change of direction in turns, volcada, colgada, surprising moves and embellishments with some overlap with technique taught on the DVIDA Syllabuses.  Mastery of the skills taught on this excellent video would give any beginning to intermediate follower a solid foundation for dancing Argentine tango.  Many viewers will be disappointed that the video lacks demonstration dances.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango Leader's Technique (DVD or video tape)
In this nearly two-hour video, George Garcia is assisted by Christy Coté in teaching elements of leader's technique for Argentine tango.  Covering embrace, walking, cuzada, forward and backward ochos, molinetes (giros), boleos, paradas, blocks, sandwiches, barridas, ganchos, enganches, sacadas, points, planeos, calecita, carpa, change of direction in turns, volcada, colgada and and embellishments, George's instruction consists of working through the same elements of dance covered in Argentine Tango Follower's Technique and offering a variety of hints about leader's steps and leading.  A subtle and smooth leader, George takes a slow pace in teaching with extensive demonstration that sometimes just consists of teaching the step pattern.  George fails to provide an overall view of what is required of the leader, but he gives lengthy and detailed explanations of movement.  At times these explanations are convoluted and unfocused.  At other times, George may provide the very insight necessary for a leader to dance Argentine tango well.  George closes the video with a few useful but rambling explanations of milonga etiquette in Buenos Aires.  Many viewers will be disappointed that the video lacks a demonstration dance.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — The Art of Improvisation (DVD or video tape)
Argentine tango is an improvisational dance built on an underlying structure.  In this oustanding video, Christy Coté and George Garcia teach the underlying structure of Argentine tango and the basics of improvisation utilizing that structure.  The first 75 minutes of instruction is at the beginning level.  Instruction starts with six elements of the woman's movements—walks, cruzada, forward ochos, backward ochos, turns and boleos.  After teaching these elements, Christy and George work with tips to improve skills, such as changing weight, collecting feet, pivot, pause, double-time elements, and commonalities in the elements.  After teaching the first layer, Christy and George demonstrate the difference between the parallel and crossed systems, how each element is led, and how the leader's footwork complements the follower's.  The final 35 minutes covers more advanced elements including paradas, frenos, mordidas, barridas, ganchos, enchanche, sacadas, planeos, calecita, volcadas and colgadas.  These numerous elements are covered relatively quickly, and the emphasis is placed on showing how these elements relate to the six basic elements of tango.  Overall, the teaching is clear and comprehensive.  This outstanding video would be great for a beginner, intermediate or anyone who wants to improve their improvisational skills by developing an understanding of the underlying structure of tango.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Milonguero-Style Argentine Tango (2 DVDs or video tapes)
In this two-video series, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer comprehensive instruction in milonguero-style Argentine tango, starting from the embrace and walk and continuing through the most basic elements and some advanced patterns.  Once mastered, all of the material is likely to prove useful for dancing in crowded venues.  The first video covers the embrace, basics of walking, ocho cortado, back ochos, basic left turns, sacada from cross system basic, right turn, molinete (giro) left, molinete (giro) right, boleo and spiral cross, and progressive left turn.  The second video covers, running step, point and pivot, barrida, enganches, outside partner left, carpa, turns, volcada and colgadas.  Although Christy and George assume some basic familiarity with Argentine tango, their instruction is clear and comprehensive, if sometimes a little to detailed and longwinded.  Much of the material is taught in relatively small step patterns, but the dancers who expect to use the material to dance socially in a crowed venue will have to go beyond rote memorization of the patterns to a mastery of the individual elements from which the patterns are constructed.  For some of the basic elements, the instructors are careful to explain the importance of moving along the line of dance and how to make adjustments to accomodate the presence of other dancers on a crowded dance floor.  Such explanations disappear as the material grows in complexity.  Many viewers will be disappointed that these videos only include exhibition snippets based on the taught elements and no full demonstration dances.  Strangely, all the exhibition snippets are danced to Di Sarli which works against the rhythmic drive that often characterizes milonguero-style tango.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Milonga (2 DVDs or video tapes)
In this two-video series, Christy Coté and George Garcia teach a collection of step patterns, starting with basic elements of milonga and working through to some more complex elements.  The first video starts with the baldosa box and offers 14 additonal step patterns as variations from or elements to be added to the baldosa box including ochos, some traspie elements, zig zags, grapevine, a right turn left turn combination and a gancho.  The second video offers 14 more advanced step patterns, including amagues, double-time steps and more traspie elements.  Some patterns contain steps that move against the line of dance.  For those who already know Argentine tango, the instruction is clear and comprehensive, and the production values are good, but the videos are not at all entertaining to watch.  Offering occasional insights, Christy and George move slowly, carefully explaining each movement in what some will find to be excrutiating detail.  In their dancing and teaching, Christy and George capture little of the rhythmic drive, playfulness and improvisation that characterizes milonga.  Stripped of these characteristics, the milonga that is presented loses authenticity.  Ballroom dancers who wish to learn milonga, may find these videos create a bridge from ballroom sensibilities to milonga.  Many viewers will be disappointed that the first video has no full demonstration dance.  Most viewers will be disappointed by the full demonstration dance that ends the second video.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Vals (2 DVDs or video tapes)
In this two-video series, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer basic and intermediate instruction in vals.  The first video starts with an extensive explanation and demonstration of the rhythmic elements of vals.  After working with the rhythmic elements, Christy and George proceed with what they call "the progressive cross system basic" and then teach nine figures as variations from or elements to be added to the progressive cross system basic.  The second video stands alone (without much reference to the progressive cross system basic) and offers instruction in 12 additional step patterns, many of which are interesting.  On both videos, most of the figures work well, but several figures contain elements that move against the line of dance.  Some of the figures combine many elements, and particularly on the first video most students would be better served by instruction in smaller elements of movement.  For those who already know Argentine tango, the instruction is generally clear.  Christy and George move slowly and explain each step pattern in careful detail, though not always accurately.  Most of the figures are taught in an open embrace, but Christy and George switch back and forth between open and closed embraces as they demonstrate the step patterns to music.  Oddly, they say the back ocho they teach in volume one works only in a close embrace.  Their dancing suggests that Christy and George are more comfortable dancing vals in a close embrace without double-time elements.  Each video ends with a demonstration dance based on the taught elements.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Tango Fantasia  (2 DVDs or videotapes)
In this two-video series, Christy Coté and George Garcia teach a collection of step patterns that are much better suited for exhibition dancing than social dancing.  Most of the elements are small in scale suggesting an exhibition in a salon rather than on a stage.  Though most of the elements are challenging, the overall content is a little dull.  The numerous closing elements and slicing entrada stand out as the most interesting.  Instruction is generally clear, but it assumes that the viewer has a good knowledge of tango.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, and demonstrate the figure to music.  No instruction or comments are offered about what is required in an exhibition—such as selecting music, projecting, dynamics, composition, etc.  The same lackluster exhibition closes both videos.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Tango in Carpa with Volcadas (DVD or video tape)
The volcada has emerged as one of the most popular new elements of Argentine Tango.  This video begins with technique for Carpa (Spanish for tent) or the leaning position and progresses into technique for a basic forward volcada (spilling action) in a leaning position.  Despite a title implying a variety of volcadas, the video shows only one volcada incorporated in a variety of step patterns.  Instruction in the lean and volcada is extremely clear and comprehensive, but the video grows tedious as the viewer slowly realizes that the same lean and volcada are being repeated over and over in a variety of different figures.  The step patterns may be of interest to some dancers, but many will wonder whether a video with only one volcada is worth their money or viewing time.  The rating represents a compromise between the high-quality instruction and the limited content.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Volcadas  (DVD or videotape)
In this 105 minute video, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer instruction on backward and forward volcadas, 19 step patterns in which volcadas are used, and a demonstration dance laden with volcadas.  Anyone who has an intermediate to advanced understanding of tango and wants to learn volcadas will find that the video covers what seems to be nearly every possible use of volcadas.  Not every variation will appeal to every dancer, but each dancer is likely to find several uses of volcadas that appeal to him or her.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, explain the techniques for men and women, and demonstrate the figure to music.  Instruction is generally clear, but it assumes that the viewer has both a good familiarity with techniques for dancing on the body and terms used in teaching tango.  The latter includes the knowing the difference between the cross and parallel systems and knowing the numbering of steps in the eight-count basic and cross-foot eight count basic.  The instruction misses a few points that some consider essential to good volcadas—planting the woman's supporting foot, the man supporting the woman on his body, and the man supporting the woman's back with his right arm.  The concluding demonstration dance, which is heavily laded with volcadas, shows how too many volcadas can reduce the visual appeal of the dance.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Colcadas  (DVD or videotape)
In this video, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer instruction in clockwise and counterclockwise colcadas, 15 step patterns in which colcadas are used, and a dance demonstration laden with colgadas.  Anyone who has at least an intermediate understanding of tango and wants to learn colcadas will find that the video covers many uses of the colgada.  Because there are essentially only two colgadas (clockwise and counterclockwise) with minor variations, the instruction grows a bit repititious, but each dancer is likely to find a use of a colgada that appeals to him or her.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, explain the techniques for men and women, and demonstrate the figure to music.  Instruction is generally clear, but it assumes that the viewer has a good familiarity with the terms used in teaching tango.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Ganchos and Enganches  (DVD or videotape)
Frequently people who are new to tango become obsessed with using ganchos and enganches wherever they can.  Although this video would seem to be ideal, technique is extremely important to successful and safe ganchos and enganches.  For someone who has learned their technique elsewhere, the video might provide a few good ideas about uses of ganchos and enganches.  In this video, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer instruction in numerous step patterns in which ganchos and enganches are used.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, explain the techniques for men and women, and demonstrate the figure to music.  Too much of the teaching is about the figures and not enough is about ganchos and enganches themselves.  As the result of his poor body and leg positions, George frequently appears slightly off balance leading ganchos.  George occasionally fumbles when explaining the men's step patterns, and for the ganchos themselves, he offers little instruction about the man's body rotation or leg movements.  Christy's instruction for all the woman's movements are generally clear and more thorough.  The techniques demonstrated for enganches are generally better, but the explanations of the men's parts remain shaky.  Some of the enganche combinations are downright silly and scary to imagine at a milonga.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Boleos  (DVD or videotape)
In this video, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer instruction in backward, forward and linear boleos for women, numerous step patterns in which boleos work well, and a dance demonstration laden with boleos.  Anyone who has at least an intermediate understanding of tango and wants to improve their command of boleos will find the video quite useful.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, explain the techniques for men and women, and demonstrate the figure to music.  Instruction is quite clear and thorough, particularly for the women's movements.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Christy Coté and George Garcia — Strictly Sacadas  (DVD or videotape)
In this video, Christy Coté and George Garcia teach a variety of sacadas incorporated in 19 different step patterns.  Through the figures, Christy and George provide a great overview of the many ways sacadas can be used in tango, and anyone who has at least an intermediate understanding of tango is likely to find mastering the figures will greatly expand their dancing.  Instruction on technique for sacadas is found throughout the figures rather than a single section devoted to the subject.  For each figure, Christy and George provide a demonstration without music, show and explain the man's steps, show and explain the woman's steps, explain the techniques for men and women, and demonstrate the figure to music.  Some of the explanations of men's technique are a little vague, but instruction is quite clear and thorough for the women's movements.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103  phone:  (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Dolores De Amo and Daniel Lapadula are from the missing generation of tango dancers in Buenos Aires.  Both have lifetime backgrounds in dance and eventually found their way to tango.  Dolores has worked on several projects for Solo Tango and is a graceful dancer and charming teacher.  Daniel danced with the Miguel Caló orchestra, and eventually found his way to the United States where he taught tango for many years.  Daniel and Dolores have often taught together.

Dolores De Amo and Daniel Lapadula — Tango Estilo del Centro (3 volumes on video tape; 2 volumes on DVD)
This well-produced set of videos from Solo Tango covers club-style tango.  As taught by Dolores De Amo and Daniel Lapadula, club-style tango is danced in an upright posture with a close embrace.  Some separation occurs during turns, and the use of double-time steps is at the leader's discretion.  The instructors are first-rate exponents and teachers of the style.  The series is designed for graduated learning from the first video through the third, but the instruction assumes a prior knowledge of Argentine tango.  Each video contains about 15 elemental steps or complex step patterns, with about four minutes coverage of each.  Most of the material is interesting, and Daniel and Dolores dance all of them quite well.  Daniel and Dolores demonstrate each element of the material several times and explain most of it carefully, but the videos are best suited to visual learners who use the rewind and slow-motion buttons on their VCRs or DVD players.  Given the complexity of much of the material, the dancer who wants to use these videos to learn to dance socially will have to go beyond rote memorization of the patterns to a mastery of the elements from which the patterns are constructed.  The dancer who puts this much effort into learning will be well served by the completeness of instruction offered in this series of videos.  The first and second videotapes each close with a demonstration dance.  Instruction is in Spanish with English subtitles.  The videos were created using broadcast-quality equipment and are available on video tape and multizone DVD.  Available from The Tango Catalogue.

Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski are two young stars in the world of theatrical tango.  They toured with Forever Tango, including its stay on Broadway, and they appeared in the PBS special Tango Magic.  Diego trained with the late master Antonio Todaro.  Together their dancing is stunning and compelling.  They are highly regarded as teachers.

Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further (4 DVDs only)
Originally released on video tape in 2003, this four-DVD series is a classic.  The series covers much of the material that Carolina and Diego taught in highly regarded workshops that they taught throughout North America from 2001 to 2003.  The extremely well-produced videos were shot in a studio with high-quality digital technology.   Each video opens with a dance that is entirely improvised, as an example of one way to put together the steps taught on the video.  Carolina and Diego provide careful coverage of each figure taught—showing each figure twice in complete form and then the man's and woman's parts in slow motion.  Carolina and Diego provide voice-over descriptions in English of each of their movements.  As described in the next four reviews, there is one DVD each for tango salon, complex tango, vals and milonga.  Produced by Broadway Tango Productions, the DVDs are available as a set of four from Carolina and Diego.  (Apparently, the material is no longer offered on video tape.)  For additional information, see Carolina's and Diego's website.

Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further: Tango Salon (1 of 4 DVDs)
This DVD covers the smaller elements of salon tango that Carolina and Diego taught in highly regarded workshops that they taught throughout North America from 2001 to 2003.  The video opens with an improvised tango, as an example of one way to put together the steps taught on the video.  After a brief explanation of how learn from the video, Carolina and Diego demonstrate ten step patterns, most of which are likely to prove challenging to intermediate tango dancers.  For the tenth pattern, Carolina and Diego show six interesting variations.  For each figure taught, Carolina and Diego provide fast-paced, but careful coverage—dancing each figure twice to the music of Color Tango.  After demonstrating the pattern, they show the man's and woman's parts in slow motion with voice-over descriptions in English of each of the movements.  The 60-minute program was shot in a studio with high-quality digital technology.  Produced by Broadway Tango Productions, the DVD is now available as part of a four-DVD set from Carolina and Diego.  (Apparently, the material is no longer offered on video tape.)  For additional information, see Carolina's and Diego's website.

Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further: Complex Tango (1 of 4 DVDs)
This DVD covers the more complex elements of tango that Carolina and Diego taught in highly regarded workshops that they taught throughout North America from 2001 to 2003.  The video opens with an improvised tango, as an example of one way to put together the step combinations taught on the video.  After a brief explanation of how learn from the video, Carolina and Diego demonstrate nine step patterns, which danced in their entirety would be most useful to advanced dancers who are preparing to dance exhibitions.  The beauty of these combinations may inspire some to take to the stage, but for those who are more interested in dancing tango socially, elements of all the figures could prove useful.  For each figure taught, Carolina and Diego provide fast-paced, but careful coverage—dancing each figure twice to the music of Color Tango.  After demonstrating the pattern, they show the man's and woman's parts in slow motion with voice-over descriptions in English of each of the movements.  The 45 minute program was shot in a studio with high-quality digital technology.  Produced by Broadway Tango Productions, the DVD is now available as part of a four-DVD set from Carolina and Diego.  (Apparently, the material is no longer offered on video tape.)  For additional information, see Carolina's and Diego's website.

Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further: Vals (1 of 4 DVDs)
This DVD covers the elements of vals that Carolina and Diego taught in highly regarded workshops that they taught throughout North America from 2001 to 2003.  The video opens with an improvised vals, as an example of one way to put together the elements taught on the video.  After a brief explanation of how learn from the video, Carolina and Diego demonstrate nine step patterns, which danced in their entirety would be most useful to advanced dancers who are preparing to dance vals during exhibitions.  For those who are more interested in dancing vals socially, elements of all the figures could prove useful.  For each figure taught, Carolina and Diego provide fast-paced, but careful coverage—dancing each figure twice to the music of Color Tango.  After demonstrating the pattern, they show the man's and woman's parts in slow motion with voice-over descriptions in English of each of the movements.  The 42 minute program was shot in a studio with high-quality digital technology.  Produced by Broadway Tango Productions, the DVD is now available as part of a four-DVD set from Carolina and Diego.  (Apparently, the material is no longer offered on video tape.)  For additional information, see Carolina's and Diego's website.

Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco — One Step Further: Milonga (1 of 4 DVDs)
This DVD covers the elements of milonga that Carolina and Diego taught in highly regarded workshops that they taught throughout North America from 2001 to 2003.  The video opens with an improvised milonga, as an example of one way to put together the steps taught on the video.  After a brief explanation of how learn from the video, Carolina and Diego demonstrate 11 step patterns, most of which would add to the milonga vocabulary of many intermediate tango dancers.  None of the combinations are highly complex, but most are likely to prove challenging to intermediate tango dancers.  For each figure taught, Carolina and Diego provide fast-paced, but careful coverage—dancing each figure twice to the music of Color Tango.  After demonstrating the pattern, they show the man's and woman's parts in slow motion with voice-over descriptions in English of each of the movements.  The very short (27 minute) program was shot in a studio with high-quality digital technology.  Produced by Broadway Tango Productions, the DVD is now available as part of a four-DVD set from Carolina and Diego.  (Apparently, the material is no longer offered on video tape.)  For additional information, see Carolina's and Diego's website.

Also see Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski — Tango Techniques for the Stage, Leader's Tango Technique, Follower’s Tango Technique, Salon Tango Figures, and Tango Waltz Figures on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Gloria and Rodolfo Dinzel are best known as theatrical tango dancers who appeared in the stage show, Tango Argentino.  They operate a tango school in Buenos Aires with international branches using their own system for teaching, and they have written the book Tango: An Anxious Quest for Freedom.

Gloria and Rodfolfo Dinzel — A Master Class for Beginners
This well-produced video includes three demonstration dances that tend toward theatrical.  The instruction is very clear and covers many of the beginning steps as taught in the tradition of Todaro, such as basic, ochos, etc.  Once available through See-Do Productions, the video does not appear to have a North American distributor the moment.  The Dinzels do travel with copies of the video to sell, and the video is sometimes available from Nora Dinzelbacher, a San Francisco Bay Area instructor, who does not take mail orders.  It may also be available through branches of the Dinzel's school.  For more information, see the Dinzels' webpage.

Eduardo & Mercedes and Copes & Nieves.  Eduardo and Mercedes are a Long Island couple who are not to be confused with the famous Gloria & Eduardo (listed below).  Juan Carlos Copes and Maria Nieves are among the most famous couples to ever dance Argentine tango.  They danced in the original cast of Tango Argentino and helped foster tango's renaissance in the 1980s.

Tango Argentino with Eduardo & Mercedes and Copes & Nieves
This video has some historic interest but weak moments of instruction.  It is actually a compilation of five video tapes and motion pictures.  Eduardo and Mercedes teach the first section which is about 55 minutes long.  The next three sections are vintage footage of Juan Carlos Copes and Maria Nieves demonstrating Tango steps.  In these sections, which are packed with information, Copes & Nieves demonstrate a step, name it, and then move on.  Be prepared with the rewind and slow-motion buttons on your VCR if you want to learn the steps.  The last section is footage of an unidentified instructor teaching in a studio in Buenos Aires.  Add a star if you want the historic Copes & Nieves footage for your video library.  Produced by See-Do Productions who have ceased operations; the video may no longer be available.

Zoraida Fontclara and Diego Alvaro are among the younger generation of dancers and teachers in Buenos Aires.

See Zoraida Fontclara and Diego Alvaro — Beginning/Intermediate Milonga and Waltz on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli.  Chicho is a protégé of the modern master Gustavo Naveira.  Gustavo is known for his exploration of the underlying structure of tango, and Chicho has developed his own reputation for his knowledge of tango's structure as well as for carrying some of Gustavo’s ideas to extremes.  Much of Chicho's work is at the foundation of what is now considered the nuevo-tango style of dancing.

See Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli (with Brooke Burdett) — Boleos and Ganchos  and Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli (with Sharna Fabiano) — Changes of Direction in Turns on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Jose Garofolo is of the younger generation of tango dancers and instructors from Buenos Aires.  He is known for a modern analysis of tango's structure.

See Jose Garofolo (with Sharna Fabiano) — Improvising Figures from Salidas, Exploring Parallel and Crossed Systems, and High Sacadas in Advanced Figures on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

The late Carlos Gavito was principally known for his role as the star of the long-running show Forever Tango. Marcela Duran was his long time partner in Forever Tango.  Exquisite at dancing slow tangos, particularly those recorded by Pugliese, Gavito and Marcela were legendary for their use of close-embrace salon-style tango on the stage.  Many of the elements of their dance were highly individualistic and not taught by others.  Recognized as a milonguero, late Gavito taught his material for use in social dancing.

Carlos Gavito with Marcela Duran — Un Tal Gavito (3 DVDs or video tapes)
Produced by Solo Tango, this three volume series of one-hour videos presents many of the social dance elements and techniques that Carlos Gavito and Marcela Duran used on the stage.  Although the series progresses from beginning elements to more challenging material, it is intended for those who have some experience dancing tango.  Each video contains three exhibition dances and 10 or more identified sections of instruction.  All instruction is in Spanish with English subtitles.  The first volume is by far the most compelling.  Gavito and Marcela dance three beautiful exhibitions to Pugliese.  Just watching Marcela's technique and their changes in timing and use of pauses are instructive in their own right.  Gavito and Marcela start by teaching relatively small elements that include their embrace, salidas, and basic, but they quickly progress to more challenging material.  Their teaching is clear and careful with Gavito explaining the step patterns and man's part and Marcela explaining the woman's part.  I cannot imagine a better instructional video.  With expectations set by the first volume, the second is a disappointment.  In their exhibition dances, Gavito and Marcela don't seem to reflect the music they have selected—a relatively fast tango, a vals, and a milonga.  The figures taught on the second video are more complex, and the teaching is less clear.  Moreover, when Gavito and Marcela demonstrate these more advanced elements at dance tempo, their dancing becomes much rougher.  Some of the sacadas are particularly rough, with Gavito kicking in his displacements.  The third volume is stronger than the second, but doesn't quite scale the heights established by the first.  The exhibitions are better than on the second video, but not as magical as those on the first.  The first few elements of instruction are lengthy explanations that boil down to suggesting that one dance tango simply and musically and maintain the relationship with one's partner.  The remaining eight elements are relatively small step patterns that are sufficiently unique to pose a mental challenge to some dancers.  The teaching is relatively clear but is sometimes drawn out or vague, particularly when the material is complex.  Overall, this series is best suited to those dancers who already have some familiarity with tango and want to learn Gavito's relatively unique steps and ideas and/or Marcela's technique.  Though many of the elements taught on all three videos can be used to dance socially, Gavito shows little respect for the line of dance, and some work will be required of those leaders who want to use the material to dance socially.  For those who are looking for a video that captures the magic of Gavito's and Marcela's dancing, the first volume should be sufficient.  Available from The Tango Catalogue.

Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy are young stage dancers and tango teachers from Córdoba, Argentina.  During the 5th Buenos Aires Tango Festival, held in March 2003, they won the international tango award in the stage tango competition.

Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy — Tango Lessons with the World's Champions (DVD only)
On this DVD, Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy focuses on the two styles of tango as a dance.  The Salon Tango section conveys their conpcept of how to dance at milongas.  They take the approach of teaching 15 steps including basic step, ochos, and other elements such as sacadas, ganchos and voleos.  The Stage Tango section conveys their ideas for designing tango choreographies.  Instruction is offered in Spanish, German, French and Japanese.  A reliable vendor is uncertain.

Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia are young disciples of Raul Bravo and teach from the system that Antonio Todaro and Bravo developed.

Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia —  Tango  Salón  (DVD only)
On this DVD, Anton and Natalie teach basic salon tango, starting with walks and continuing through the 8-count basic, cross-step basic, front ochos, back ochos, rock step, etc.  Explanation is provided for the leader's and follower's roles, posture, the embrace and walking.   The DVD includes ancedotes are also included about how the dance was traditionally interpreted, and includes a chapter on etiquette at milongas.  The 80-minute DVD is produced by Sergio Segura and available from Sergio Segura Productions.

Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia — Advanced Tango Figures and Sequences, Vols. 1 and 2  (2 DVDs only)
On each DVD Anton and Natalie teach 8 complex figures from the Todaro-Bravo system complete with instruction on both the man's and woman's role and the technique necessary to execute the figures properly.  Both DVDs also includes anecdotes about those who created the figures.  The first includes a photogallery of Maestros Antonio Todaro and Raul Bravo.  The 80-minute DVDs are produced by Sergio Segura and available from Sergio Segura Productions.

Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo are among the more exciting young performers of tango fantasia (stage tango).

See Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo — Salon Tango Technique, Follower's Technique, Intermediate/Advanced Tango Figures, and The Art of Performance Tango on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Gloria and Claudio (who should not be confused with the famous Gloria and Eduardo listed below) are a couple from Argentina who are now based in the Los Angeles area where they dance and teach Argentine tango, ballroom and Latin dance.

Gloria and Claudio — Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Argentine Tango Lesson (3 tapes)
Each video covers basic styling, foot and body positioning, and about a half hour of instruction covering ten new steps.  Gloria and Claudio dance a short choreography using the steps they teach.  Available through Gloria and Claudio's webpage.

Gloria y Eduardo (3 tape set)
A number of years ago, Gloria & Eduardo developed a series of instructional video tapes designed to take a dancer from neophyte to accomplished intermediate in salon-style Tango (not the club-style tango Eduardo often teaches). At the time these videos were produced, they set the standard of comparison, and they are still among the best available.  The first tape covers the basics including the proper embrace and elementary steps.  The second and third videos cover additional steps including complex figures and embellishments.  The second video is particularly good in its coverage of giros.  The video quality is high and so is the instruction.  The voice over is a bit dramatic and sometimes slightly out of synch with the steps.  The tapes are a somewhat expensive for the amount of material covered, but this is a good series for anyone just starting in Tango.  (These videos are sold worldwide in several languages and formats, but the U.S. representatives offer them in English with NTSC-VHS format.)  Available from Patagonian Store in Buenos Aires and Bill Rowe's Ballroom Dance Supply.  For information about the videos in all languages and formats see Gloria and Eduardo's webpage.

Mora Godoy is a highly regarded stage dancer who has a well-known tango school in Buenos Aires.  Mora has appeared in Tango X 2 stage shows as the partner of both Miguel and Osvaldo Zotto.  She first reached wide public attention through her outstanding instructional videos with Osvaldo Zotto which were produced by Solo Tango.  See Osvaldo Zotto and Mora Godoy below.

Mora Godoy — Curso Básico de Tango (2 volumes)
These two videos contain more than two hours of material including footage of Buenos Aires, demonstration dances, comments on dancing at milongas, and fifteen step patterns ranging from the basic to more complex figures with additional instruction on ochos, boleos, ganchos and giros.  Mora's partner on the instructional portion of the video is her brother Horacio Godoy.   Instruction starts with the basic (without a back step), progresses through a fairly standard and complete set of beginning steps, such as forward and back ochos, molinetes, giros, paradas, embellishments, boleos and ganchos.  Instruction concludes with two fairly complex figures incorporating back sacadas that seem out of place in a video intended for beginners.  The instructional parts of the video were produced with three cameras, and each of the steps and figures is shown from a variety of angles.  Detailed instruction is provided for both the man's and woman's part of each step and figure, and much of the material is shown in slow motion.  Few viewers will find a need to use the slow-motion or rewind buttons on their own VCRs to learn the material.  The videos are available in Spanish and English in both PAL and NTSC format.  Purchases can be made through Zival's Tango Store.  Limited additional information about the videos is available on Mora Godoy's website.

Valorie Hart and Alberto Paz are a New Orleans-based teaching couple who also tour to give workshops and performances of Argentine tango.

Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart — Gotta Tango (DVD and book)
An instructional program that combines a book and DVD.  The book describes, illustrates, and explains the fundamental concepts and techniques, and the DVD visually demonstrates real dance situations.  For more information, see Planet Tango, or contact Valorie Hart, 808 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130.

Valorie and Alberto — Tango, Our Dance: Confessions of a Reformed Step Collector (DVD only)
This video presents twelve lessons and three performances that were captured live, unrehearsed and improvised, and then edited for distribution.  Available on DVD from Planet Tango, 1000 Bourbon St., #202, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Carlos "El Tordo" Kronos and Liliana Tolomei are natives of Buenos Aires who are currently based in Barcelona.  Carlos studied with legendary maestros such as Pepito Avellaneda, José Vazquez "Lampazo," Rodolfo Cieri and Luis Grondona.  Carlos has integrated traditional and contemporary tango through the analysis of movement.  Liliana graduated from the Maria Amelia Ramirez School of Theatre Arts and trained in tango under Carlos.

Carlos "El Tordo" and Liliana Tolomei — Tango Argentino de Salón (DVD only)
This DVD offers instruction in the foundations of the Tango de Salón that Carlos "El Tordo" learned directly from the legendary teacher and dancer Jose Vázquez "Lampazo".  In the DVD, Carlos offers instruction and analysis of nearly 70 elements of the style created by Carlos Estévez "Petróleo" and learned by Lampazo in the 1940s.  For further information, see www.eltordo-tango-dance-styles.com or www.lilianatolomei.com.

Pablo Inza and Veronica Alvarenja began performing together in 1998 as cast members of Juan Carlos Copes' Tango, Magia y Seduccion.

See Pablo Inza and Veronica Alvarenja — Introduction to Stage Tango on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Diego Ladeveze and Gabriela Lopez are tango dancers and instructors from Rosario, Argentina.  They are students of Orlando Paiva, and his influence shows in their elegant and expressive style of dancing.

Diego & Gabriela — Tango Romantico, Volume I, Basics
Volume I is intended for beginners who have some experience.  It is well recorded and includes three demonstration dances, instruction on ten figures, and two additional dance sequences constructed from the figures taught on the video.  Diego and Gabriela dance the steps slowly and then alternately explain the men's and women's parts, which makes the instruction easy to follow.  In keeping with the intent to market volume one to beginners, the video starts with the embrace and 8-count basic (with back step).  From there the video inexplicably skips over ochos to slightly more complex figures that seem to presume the students using the video already know the back ocho.  Although none of the steps are very complicated, the material taught is better suited for beginning stage dancing or for incorporation into the repertoire of social dancers that already have some mastery of floor craft.  Some of the steps on this video would be a hazard to everyone on the dance floor if they were unleashed by a beginner at a crowded milonga, and that is the basis of my reservations about the video.  Available from Kevin W. King; 2236 Durant Ave., Suite 2 Berkeley, CA 94704  (510) 486-1271 Fax (408) 947-7327; through Diego and Gabriela's website;  and the Tango 2x4 website.

Diego & Gabriela — Tango Romantico, Volume II, Great Steps
This well-produced video presents interesting and relatively unique figures that would be useful for social and stage dancing.   Instruction is very clear.  Ten figures are presented at full speed and then slowly, as Diego and Gabriela alternately explain the men’s and women's part.  Experienced dancers will have little reason to use the rewind and slo-mo buttons on their VCRs except to see the gorgeous figures once again.  The video also includes two dance sequences constructed from the figures that Diego and Gabriela teach on the video, as well as two demonstration dances.  Available from Kevin W. King; 2236 Durant Ave., Suite 2 Berkeley, CA 94704  (510) 486-1271 Fax (408) 947-7327; through Diego and Gabriela's website;  and the Tango 2x4 website.

Lampazo.  The late Jose Vasquez "Lampazo" was a master of classic caminada (walking-style) tango and a member of the original cast of Tango Argentino.

Lampazo at Stanford  (DVD only)
This well-produced video covers intermediate to advanced material that Lampazo taught during the Stanford Tango Weeks in 1995.  Re-shot in a well-known Tango Bar in Northern California, Lampazo and an unidentified partner demonstrate steps while Barbara Garvey provides voice over.  To best use the material for instruction, the viewer needs to be prepared with the rewind and slow-motion buttons on the DVD player.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn are Argentines who are best known for their partnership in the stage show Forever Tango.  They are among a number of relatively young stage dancers who travel to teach throughout the United States and world.

Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn — Let's Dance Together (DVD only)
This DVD offers 40 minutes of exercices to improve balance, footwork, pivot, posture and musicality, alone and with a partner; information on applying the exercises to steps and a performance by Miriam and Hugo.  A reliable vendor is uncertain.

Manolo and Coca are known for their unique style of milonga.

See Manolo and Coca — The Milonga of Manolo on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Chris Morris and Oliana Foraponova are well-known ballroom dancers and teachers.

Chris Morris and Oliana Foraponova — Argentine Tango, Vol. I & II
These videos offer a ballroom interpretation of Argentine tango.  The result is inauthentic.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103, (800) 851-2813  Fax:  (702) 365-6644.

Ron and Karla Montez are well-known ballroom dancers and teachers.

Ron & Karla Montez — Anyone Can Dance Basic Latin Vol. IV: Argentine Tango
This video offers a ballroom interpretation of Argentine tango.  The result is inauthentic.  Available from DanceVision.com, 4270 Cameron St., Suite 3A, Las Vegas, NV 89103, (800) 851-2813  Fax: (702) 365-6644.

Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio are innovative tango dancers, who are known for their superb style and command of tango's structure.  Gustavo is known for his development of the tango nuevo pedagogy that emphasizes a structural analysis of the dance in which previously unexplored combinations of steps and new figures can be found.  He was also one of the three principal dancers in the movie, The Tango Lesson.  Olga is known for her superb command of embellishments. (Also see Olga Besio above.)

See Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio — Seminar Review I–V on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Jorge Nel is among the pioneers of Argentine tango in south Florida.  He is widely known for his skill in dancing tango.

Jorge Nel and Laura — Learn to Dance Argentine Tango  (likely discontinued)
The experience that Jorge and Laura have in helping to launch a tango community shows in the clear, careful and practical instruction on this video.  Beginners who master all of the material on the video will be well on their way to dancing Argentine tango authentically.  The instruction starts with a standard eight-count basic and progresses through four additional figures.  Along the way, Jorge and Laura demonstrate and explain rhythm, walking and elements for improvisation.  As shown in their demonstration dances, these simple elements can be combined to create a rich and varied dance.  Jorge and Laura dance and demonstrate with elegant, slow and rhythmic movement, but the video represents a triumph of content over limited production quality—including some rather strange split screen effects.  Instruction is bilingual in Spanish and English.    May be available from Tango in Miami, 1.800.936.9537 or 786.888.6619.

Jorge Nel and Marta — Learn to Dance Milonga
This video is available from Tango in Miami, 1.800.936.9537 or 786.888.6619.

Jorge Nel and Milena — Milonga Traspie, vols. 1 and 2
This video is available from Tango in Miami, 1.800.936.9537 or 786.888.6619.

Nito and Elba.  Always spontaneous and exciting dancers, Nito and Elba Garcia teach an elegant and original style of tango with emphasis on technique and lines.  Because Nito and Elba have lived in Mar del Plata, Argentina for many years, their approach to tango has not been fully assimilated into the standard set of steps and patterns that are commonly taught and danced in Buenos Aires.

Nito & Elba —Workshops 1993  (DVD only)
This video covers the material that Nito & Elba taught in workshops in Northern California during 1993.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Nito & Elba — Workshops 1995  (DVD only)
This video is packed with the intermediate to advanced material that Nito & Elba taught in a series of workshops in Northern California during November and December 1995.  Re-shot in a well-known Tango Bar in Northern California, Nito & Elba demonstrate technique and steps while Barbara Garvey provides English narration on this relatively simple production.  To best use the material for instruction, the viewer needs to be prepared with the rewind and slow-motion buttons on the DVD player.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Nito y Elba — Teach Tango at Stanford - 1996  (DVD only)
This video shows in detail all of the steps, exercises, movements and patterns (including tango and milonga) that Nito and Elba taught during the Stanford University Tango Weeks in July 1996.  The material is absolutely first rate and probably best suited for intermediate to advanced dancers.  Re-shot in a well-known Tango Bar in Northern California, Nito & Elba demonstrate technique and steps while Barbara Garvey provides English narration on this relatively simple one-camera production.  To best use the material for instruction, the viewer needs to be prepared with the rewind and slow-motion buttons on the DVD player.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Nito y Elba — 1997 U.S. Tour  (DVD only)
This video covers the material that Nito and Elba taught in their 1997 workshops in Atlanta, Boulder, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco.   Re-shot in a well-known Tango Bar in Northern California, the video is intended as reminder of the workshops rather than an instructional tape.  Those who did not attend the workshops will have to work a bit harder to learn the outstanding intermediate material included on the video.  Barbara Garvey provides English narration on this relatively simple production.  To best use the material for instruction, the viewer needs to be prepared with the rewind and slow-motion buttons on the DVD player.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Nito & Elba — Teach Argentine Tango 1999
A triumph of content over production values, this video covers the outstanding material that Nito and Elba taught in their January, February and March 1999 workshops in Dallas, San Francisco, New York, Tucson, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.  Re-shot in a well-known Tango Bar in Northern California, the 35 minute video is intended as reminder of the workshops rather than an instructional tape.  Those who were fortunate enough to attend the workshops in one city will find the video is packed with more variations than they can recall.  Those who did not attend the workshops will have to work harder to dig out the outstanding intermediate material included on the video.  Everyone will want to use the slow motion and rewind buttons on their DVD player.  The demonstration dance at the end of the video shows the excellence of Nito & Elba's dancing.  Barbara Garvey provides English narration for this relatively simple production.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $40 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($45 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Tommy O'Connell is an Argentine of Irish descent.  He is a well-regarded older milonguero who danced tango for more than 40 years before being sidelined by poor health.

See Tommy O'Connell (with Elina Roldan) — Tango in the Close Embrace and Milonga Falcety on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Orlando Paiva is considered by some to be one of the most elegant salon-style dancers in the world today.  His every move is fluid, precise, and uniquely his own. Orlando has taught tango in Argentina, the United States, and Chile for over 40 years, creating many figures that are exclusively his own.

Orlando Paiva & Susana — Teach Argentine Tango  (DVD only)
This solidly produced video is packed with nearly an hour of material that captures the essence of Orlando Paiva's unique and elegant style. The video is divided into three sections: basic, intermediate and advanced with a total of 37 steps or combinations.  Each of the steps or combinations presented on the video is shown three times from different perspectives, ending with a close-up of the feet.  In addition, Orlando and Susana perform three exhibition dances.  The narration provides a concise, simple description of each step with helpful comments on technique.  Some viewers may be put off by Orlando's somewhat different interpretation of rhythm and the lack of drama in his dancing.  Knowledgeable dancers will find elegant, precise, slow movement and many of Orlando's ideas for developing figures.  Although the video starts with basic steps, the material is probably best suited for intermediate to advanced dancers who have already developed the ability to reinterpret or modify the figures when dancing at a crowded milonga.  If I have a reservation about the video, it is that dancers of lesser skill may attempt to execute the figures as they are shown without regard to the others with whom they are sharing the dance floor.  Add a half star if you want a documentary of Orlando's style.  This video is now available on DVD but no longer on video tape.  Price: $45 including s&h to U.S. addresses ($50 including shipping outside U.S.) through Tango Bar Productions, Calle Miramar 470 - #2, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48304.  For more information, Email Al Garvey or telephone him at 011 52 322 222-8895.

Orlando Paiva — Argentine Tango Elegant: Volume I, Basic  (DVD or video tape)
In this video, Orlando demonstrates and teaches 10 basic steps with Los Angeles tanguera Yolanda Rossi.  Each step is repeated several times in regular motion and then several times in slow motion.  A split screen is used in the slow-motion presentations, one screen side showing a head-to-toe view, and the other the legs only.  Editing, slow motion, and split-screen effects were by a professional TV production company, and duplication was by a professional movie studio.  Available on DVD or video tape in either English or Spanish.  The video is a bit expensive for the amount of material covered.  Available from Yolanda Rossi, 2514 Hollister Terrace, Glendale, CA  91206.  For additional information telephone Yolanda Rossi at (818)244-2136 or  (213) 628-8484   FAX:  (818) 547-9160.

Orlando Paiva — Argentine Tango Elegant: Volume II, Intermediate  (DVD or video tape)
In this video, Orlando demonstrates and teaches 11 intermediate steps with Los Angeles tanguera Yolanda Rossi.  A split screen is used in the slow-motion presentations, one screen side showing a head-to-toe view, and the other the legs only.  Editing, slow motion, and split-screen effects were by a professional TV production company, and duplication was by a professional movie studio.  Available on DVD or video tape in either English or Spanish.  Available from Yolanda Rossi, 2514 Hollister Terrace, Glendale, CA  91206.  For additional information telephone Yolanda Rossi at (818)244-2136 or  (213) 628-8484   FAX:  (818) 547-9160.

Petaca.  Leonardo Lerman "Petaca" is an older milonguero who has danced tango for more than 50 years.

See Petaca (with Eugenia Ramirez) — Tango and Milonga on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Pocho Pizarro and Stella Barba. Pocho Pizarro is a self-taught artist who found tango at an early age through his family and the local bars.  Both a social and a stage dancer, Pocho influenced many young stage dancers with his approach to tango fantasia (stage tango).  Stella Barba, Pocho's partner for several years, collaborated in two videos produced by Bridge to the Tango.

Pocho Pizarro — His Dancing, His Life and the History of Tango (DVD only)
This instructional DVD is designed to teach the nature of tango without step patterns or predesigned choreographies.  The idea is to enable dancers to find their own improvisational style and musicality.  Instruction consists of 15 lessons about tango and a series of warm-up exercises.  The four-hour DVD also includes an interview of Pocho, a short film on the history of tango, demonstration dances by a variety of non-professional couples, and a recommended list of recordings.  Audio is recorded in Spanish, English, Portoguese, French, Dutch, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.  Subtitles are available in German and Italian.  For more information, see Pocho Pizarro's website.

Also see Pocho Pizarro and Stella Barba — Intermediate/Advanced Tango and Antique Tango on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Puente al Tango

See Puente al Tango Classes 1993 & 1994 on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Mingo, Esther and Pablo Pugliese.  Mingo Pugliese is regarded among the great tango educators of his generation.  He distilled the innovative concepts developed by "Petroleo" and Salvador Sciana during the golden age of tango into eight-count right and left turns (giros) that can be used as a frame of reference for all turning steps.  Together with his wife Esther, Mingo has taught many of the young tango stars of today, including their son Pablo.  Using what is now the family method, Esther and Pablo teamed up for several highly successful teaching tours of the United States including the Stanford Tango Weeks in 1996 and 1997.  Pablo now resides in the United States and performs and teaches with other partners.

See Esther and Pablo Pugliese — Basics of Salon Tango, Intermediate Salon Tango, and Milonga on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.  Also see Esther and Mingo Pugliese — Advanced Salon Tango I and Advanced Salon Tango II  on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Esther and Pablo Pugliese — Recuerdos
In the introduction to this video, Mingo and Esther demonstrate the eight-count giro which is the basis for much of the family's teaching method.  The remaining material preserves the scenes and sounds of Esther and Pablo's very crowded classes as they occurred at Stanford, July 6-11, 1997.  The video will stir fond memories for those who were there, but the faint sound, distant and occasionally wandering camera work, as well as the slow pace necessitated by closely following the classroom instruction will do little for those who were not. The two-hour video ends with an excellent performance that Esther and Pablo gave for the public on the closing night of what turned out to be the last Stanford Tango Week.  Available from Planet Tango, 1000 Bourbon St. #202, New Orleans, LA 70116.  (May no longer be available.)

El Pulpo.  Starting at a relatively young age, Norberto Esbrez "El Pulpo" has been dancing tango for about 25 years.  He is known for a complicated, deliberate, languid and turning style of Argentine tango that is densely packed with unusual adornments.  For some observers, El Pulpo's style evokes an image of an octopus, hence his nickname "El Pulpo" (the Octopus).  Luiza Paes is his long-time partner and has mastered the woman's counterpart to El Pulpo's style.

See Norberto Esbrez "El Pulpo" and Luiza Paes — The Technique of El Pulpo and The Art of El Pulpo on the webpage Bridge to the Tango Videos.

Ricardo and Nicole.  As a couple, Ricardo and Nicole were known for their expressive style of dance, rapid footwork, and improvisational stage dancing.  No longer dancing together, their one-time prominence in tango shows in Buenos Aires and extensive marketing has helped make their instructional videos among the best selling in Buenos Aires and Europe.

Ricardo & Nicole — Curso de Tango  (3 tape set or 2 DVDs)
These videos start with the 8-count basic with back step and progress through numerous elements and figures.  Most are variations on the basic including in-line walking (which is reserved until mid-way through the third video).  The choice of figures may help to illustrate some limited elements of improvisation, as is suggested toward the end of the first video, but the video does not teach improvisational skills directly.  Production values are excellent, and instruction is very clear.  Ricardo and Nicole demonstrate each step at full speed and then alternately demonstrate the men's and women's parts discussing what they see as the essential elements of lead and follow.  The figures are shown from many angles (including from above), explanat